—Insolence—
That was the word the being uttered as its first “language,” within its consciousness bound by darkness.
From the moment of its birth into this world, that being was a “strong one.”
It knew no parents. From the instant they existed, those who were strong did not need parents to raise them, unlike fragile creatures.
Even as a youngling, an existence that broke free from a shell stronger than steel could not be weak. From the moment it stood on its own legs, it ran across the earth, attacking the prey before it solely to satisfy its hunger, devouring the flesh and blood of an unlucky Orc.
It did not take long for it to mature from its youngling form. The more it devoured, the larger its body grew, doubling in size the next day, and growing even larger the day after that. Before it knew it, there was no one in its vicinity who could fight it.
And so, after its first molting, the being realized that intelligence had begun to develop within it.
High-dimensional beings like Mystic Beasts leave behind the “experiences” of their predecessors in their blood. When a Magic Stone is generated from their blood upon reaching adulthood, they gain “wisdom” and “ego” from it.
It learned through its own blood that it was a creature called a “Mystic Beast,” the strongest existence. The being stopped simply devouring like a lowly beast and began to seek a higher existence by absorbing Mana Particles.
How much time had passed since then? The sun had risen tens of thousands of times, and it had gazed at the moon the same number of times, occasionally devouring the flesh and blood of living creatures for amusement. One day, a diminutive creature appeared before that being.
It knew of these small creatures. They were beings that Monsters called “Humans,” weak in strength but using cunning wisdom to hunt Monsters and animals. It had devoured Humans several times before. Some individuals protected themselves with iron “shells” and wielded long iron “claws.” To that being, they were just animals that were troublesome to eat, not providing as much elemental Mana as Monsters.
Humans were divided into types, such as the numerous “Plains Humans,” the long-eared “Forest Humans,” and “Cave Humans.” But these “Black Humans” came all the way to the being’s dwelling, offering young individuals who did not possess iron shells or claws.
The being was also intrigued by the liquid in the bottles that emitted a rich fragrance, and it surmised that the Black Humans were worshiping it.
This was not the first time it had experienced such a thing. When it playfully spared groups of Goblins and Kobolds that were not worth eating, there were individuals who later took such actions.
However… that being did not know the unfathomable “malice” of the fragile Human race.
On that day, that being was captured, its body and mind bound.
The meat and alcohol offered by the Humans were laced with sorcerous mediums. And, unbelievably, the Humans raided its nest, using the claws and fangs shed during molting as mediums to use “sorcery,” enslaving the being over a period of ten years.
In a constantly hazy, dreamlike consciousness, it defeated enemies as a pawn of the Humans.
It was constantly fed minerals, and the Humans arbitrarily decided to turn the path of evolution that the being had continued to seek into a wingless, earth-attribute steel.
They treated the high-level Mystic Beast like livestock, even playfully feeding it different kinds of Humans alive.
While devouring their screams, pain, and curses along with their flesh and blood, the being understood the language used by the Humans and thought:
—Insolence—
What do these diminutive creatures think they are? I will. I will surely devour you alive like this as well.
Cry out, writhe in agony. I will surely tear apart these chains of bondage and devour all the Humans on this continent.
“—Earth Dragon!!”
Upon hearing the Earth Dragon’s roar, Jesha, whose comrades had been killed, gnashed her teeth as if baring her fangs, her eyes changing color.
The Evil Race Army numbered about fifty. However, the Intimidation of the single Earth Dragon clearly surpassed all of them.
What to do…? If we retreat now, there is a possibility of escaping. But how far back would we have to retreat before they give up? If we retreat too far, the warmongers suppressed by Aishe might start moving again. And even if we avoid this place and take another route, there’s no guarantee that the enemies we face will be weaker than the ones before us.
“Taciturn Disciple (Aria). You decide.”
“…………”
My master has entrusted the decision to me. I am the one who has the most reason to move forward. That’s why my master said she would accompany me. There are disadvantages to retreating or avoiding this place. Still, it would be a wiser choice than fighting the Earth Dragon head-on. But—
“Let’s go.”
There’s no guarantee that retreating will improve the situation. If the warmongers start moving, what Aishe and Camille are trying to do will be in vain. Besides…
“Alright! That’s my Aria!”
Jesha, who cheerfully took up her Two-Handed Axe upon hearing my words, would have remained alone even if we had decided to retreat. I heard that the old dwarf who was Jesha’s aide and who died in the battle against the Earth Dragon to allow her to escape had been Jesha’s caretaker since she was a child.
Who could stop Jesha, who stepped forward to avenge that enemy?
My master shrugged, looking at me and Jesha with a dumbfounded expression, and Nero took a step forward, gazing at the Earth Dragon, which was the same Mystic Beast species as him.
I have no intention of fighting a battle I intend to lose.
“They’re coming!”
At the same time as my master’s warning, dozens of arrows and fire Magic were released from the Evil Race Army, which was still some distance away. It was clearly not an attack on suspicious individuals they had encountered by chance, but an attack that recognized us.
Is it an ambush after receiving a message from the warmongers at the fortress after all?
“—Typhoon—”
My master immediately stepped forward and unleashed a level 5 wind Magic, scattering the arrows and fire Magic.
In that instant, as the Armored Dragons carrying the Evil Race Army were unsettled by the raging Cyclone that stirred up dust, an enormous amount of heat was released from behind them.
“GoooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO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The elite of the Evil Race Army immediately surrounded me as I landed face-first, snapping my neck against the sandstone.
I dodged the slashes of spears and axes coming from all directions as if recoiling, and while kicking the shafts of the spears and the flat of the axes with a spinning back kick as if doing a handstand, I used the pendulum with threads entangled around my toes to slice the necks of the surrounding soldiers.
“Consider that one to be above a ‘War Demon’! Don’t approach carelessly!”
At the voice of the commander, a middle-aged Dark Elf, the Evil Race soldiers retreated, and the commander turned a gaze full of anger and hatred towards me.
“A human woman! A fake prince with human blood! Our anger and hatred… the long-cherished desire to destroy the human race! You think we can just give up because we’re told to?!”
The commander shouted and pointed the sword in his hand at me as if swinging it down.
“I’ll slam your heads down in front of those who babble about peace and make them face reality!”
Shadows fell on the spot where the soldiers had retreated, and the Earth Dragon’s massive claws came crashing down.
“GAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
“Tch!”
I jumped away in a hurry, but the impact of the strike made my legs falter for a moment. Seeing that, the Earth Dragon bared its fangs as if to bite, and at that instant, a black shadow leaped in and collided with it.
GOWOOOOOOON—!!
“GUAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
“GOAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
With a deafening roar like heavy metal clashing, Nero’s body and the Earth Dragon’s neck were repelled.
Taking aim at that moment, I threw the knife I had drawn while twirling my skirt. However, the throwing knife was deflected by the Earth Dragon’s eyelid as it instinctively closed its eyes.
“Gooooo…”
“Tch!”
The Earth Dragon turned its eyes towards me, who had attacked it. I felt a chill in those eyes and immediately leaped away, and at the same time, a huge flame flickered in the Earth Dragon’s mouth. But—
“—Stop!!”
“—!!”
The Earth Dragon, stopped by the Evil Race soldier behind it, extinguished the flame as if biting it back. Certainly, if it had released its breath as it was, the surrounding Evil Race soldiers would have been annihilated. I’m not sure if even Nero and I could have avoided it completely. But—
“Nero, get back!”
“Gaa!”
I leaped back to get away from the “darkness” that was pooling like mud in the Earth Dragon’s eyes. Nero probably saw the same thing.
That darkness was the Earth Dragon’s endless hatred and rage. The moment I saw it, I felt a chill run down my spine and instinctively put distance between us.
In the initial plan, Nero and I were going to engage in a melee to restrict the Earth Dragon’s attacks, create an opening with the Iron Rose, and then have Nero or Jesha deliver the finishing blow.
That’s why I didn’t attack the Beast Tamers behind the Earth Dragon.
…But that premise has been shattered “now.”
Seeing me retreat, the commander of the Evil Race Army shouted triumphantly.
“Go, Earth Dragon! Our long-cherished desire, our hatred and suffering, to the human race—”
Gusha…!
The next moment, the Earth Dragon’s fangs, swung down, crushed the commander’s upper body like a blood-filled sack.
The Evil Race Army froze at the sudden event. But as the Earth Dragon tore off and devoured the upper body to show that it was reality, distraught screams could be heard from the Monster Tamers at that merciless reality.
“…What?!”
“Why the Dragon?!”
“Strengthen the sorcery, hurry!!”
《—Insolence—》
In a “voice” that echoed from the depths of the earth, in the common language used on this continent, it was heard.
DOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!
Immediately after, the Earth Dragon’s tail crushed the Beast Tamers with a single swing.
The Earth Dragon’s gray eyes were dyed blood-red, its dark green scales chipped and fell away… revealing a “black” darker than darkness.
—Insolence—
That existence felt the inferior emotion of “anger” swirling within itself.
Why should inferior creatures control “me”?
Why should “I” become livestock to insignificant creatures?
The dark, muddy emotions piled up day by day…
The seeds of that existence, after becoming adults, would spend a long time acquiring Elemental Mana Particles, evolving into individuals aligned with their respective elements, and forming a clear “ego.”
That was the way of the species, and its pride.
But the small and inferior creatures called humans defiled the pride of “me,” a high-ranking Mystic Beast, and trampled on its dignity.
And even the only “battle” that was allowed was interfered with, and “I” finally abandoned pride and gave myself over to hatred.
The Earth-attribute Mana Particles that had been forcibly fed and stored were being dyed with the Dark attribute by the “Fury Spirit.”
Old scales peeled off. Claws and fangs, stronger than steel, crumbled and scattered as if trembling with anger.
The new scales were the black of darkness. Even the fangs and claws were dyed “black” to show the depth of that hatred, and it spread the wings that had been degenerating on its back, large enough to cover its massive body, and soared into the sky.
—Die. Foolish humans—
[Black Dragon] [Race: Elemental Dragon] [Mystic Beast Rank 7] 1UP
[Mana Capacity: 312/400] 50UP [HP: 742/1035] 215UP
[Overall Combat Strength: 7879] 3322UP
The lightning breath released from the Black Dragon, now an Evil Dragon hating everything in this world, struck the ancient ruins like the wrath of heaven.
I didn’t even reach the next preview!
I accidentally started writing about the Earth Dragon’s feelings…
Rank 7 has finally appeared. How will Aria fight against the Elemental Dragon, the strongest on this continent?
Next time, who will intervene in that battle!